ALS from the French pianist and pedagogue to the great conductor. Sept 4 [1956]; 1 p. Translated in part, "My dear friend / I am very touched that you have thought of my 93 years. A thousand thanks! / I hope to see you again, if the world has not been destroyed. In reviewing the morning paper, one asks oneself if one can hope again for some days of calm and repose..." Light mailing folds, else very fine. 5.25 x 8.25 inches (13.3 x 20.9 cm.). Monteux moved to the United States permanently in 1942, at the height of World War II, and this letter was almost certainly written during that time. Read More...
Original program from a recital by the great violinist with the Saint Paul Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday Evening, January 29, 1907, "at 8:15 Sharp," under the baton of Nathan B. Emanuel. Program included the Overture from "Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt" by Mendelssohn, Mozart's Symphony in G minor, Bruch's Concerto in G minor, "Ein Faust-Ouverture" by Wagner, solo performances of a Slavonic Dance by Dvořák and a Capriccio Valse by Wieniawski, and Tchaikowsky's "The Tempest." Surface creases to front cover, two splits along spine, surface tears to back cover, else fine. 6 x 8.5 inches (15.1 x 21.3 cm). Read More...
Elusive signed photograph of the leading violist of his time, a member of the London String Quartet and the NBC Symphony under Toscanini before embarking on an unprecedented successful solo career as violist. Vintage glossy 8 x 10 inch J. Abresch of NY portrait photograph of Primrose, signed and inscribed in fountain pen to the prominent Canadian violinist Isador Desser of the Toronto Symphony and the Canadian Hambourg Trio: “To Isador Desser, with all good wishes from / William Primrose." Slightly toned along the upper edge, a few minor nicks to margins, overall fine.
Intimate original photograph of the great Russian pianist in conversation with his frequent recital partner, cellist Natalia Gutman. G. Proust of Tours, France photographer's stamp to verso. Fine. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.5 x 21.6 cm.).
Original program from a recital by the Roth Quartet performing at the People's Church Auditorium in Saint Paul, Minnesota on Tuesday, December 10, 1929 at 8:15 P.M. Program included Mozart's Quartet in G major, Wolf's Italian Serenade, and Schubert's Quartet in D minor. Horizontal crease, else in fine condition. 6 x 8.5 inches (15.1 x 21.3 cm). Read More...
Pair of rare autograph letters in German from the Austrian/American pianist and composer whose Schubert and Beethoven recordings have classical status and are still considered as beyond compare by many. To his friends Hans-Erich and Gerda Riebensahm in Berlin. The earlier letter, dated New York, 10 May 1950, congratulates Riebensahm on his appointment as a professor at the same school where he taught himself before 1933 (Akademische Hochschule für Musik, now part of the Berlin University of the Arts) and lauds him for performing the "32" (i.e. Beethoven's sonatas, which Schnabel was the first to record in their entirety) and "48" (i.e., Bach's Wohltemperiertes Clavier). Schnabel list the works he has composed since 1935 (three symphonies, a choral symphony, a piano trio and so on); one piano piece was enclosed with the letter (not part of this item). In a postscript, he sends his regards to Eduard Erdmann. The later letter, dated New York, 11 October 1950, mostly deals with health issues. 6 pages, 8vo, on headed paper of the Hotel Peter Stuyvesant, New York, with two playful stanzas of autograph verse based on the recipient's name and address on a separate sheet (undated). Read More...
Signed program from a November 4, 1960 recital by the important guitarist at the Wiener Konzerthaus. Segovia has signed in bold blue marker over the program listing, which included Baroque and modern works, such as Alexander Tansman's suite composed for Segovia. 3 pp., together with a flyer advertising Segovia's recordings on Deutsche Grammophon. Some light toning and soiling to cover; overall fine. 6 x 8.25 inches (15 x 21 cm).
Pair of rare and extraordinary autograph letters from the Austrian/American pianist, in German. To his friends Hans-Erich and Gerda Riebensahm in Berlin. Both letters signed "Ruli." From the collection of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Read More...
A previously unknown early photograph thought to be of the young Alexander Siloti. By Carl Bellach of Leipzig, stamped 1889 or 1899 lower right (seems to have been altered by hand, thus unclear), verso with the printed photography studio date of 1879. Approx. 4 x 6 inches. Irregularly trimmed, else fine. Read More...
Publicity headshot of the jazz clarinetist and Professor of Woodwinds at Berklee College of Music in Boston, who has inscribed "Thanks to my friend Perry, a true 'Bird' watcher!!!" adding an illustration of a clarinet playing two 16th notes in black marker. Surface crease to left side, else very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Original concert program for the Berlin Philharmonic dated 7. January 1889, performing under the direction of Bülow in only his second season as conductor of the young orchestra. The evening's program included Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D major and Berlioz's Rèverie-Caprice for Violin with Soldat, the Austrian violin virtuoso, as the featured soloist, along with performances of Weber's Overture for Euryanthe, the symphonic poem Phaéton by Saint-Saëns, and Joachim Raff's Symphony No. 3 in F major, "Im Walde". The booklet contains extensive essays on most pieces including printed examples of various important motivic figures, and in the back are numerous advertisements for local businesses. 36 pp., in very fine condition, 5.5 x 8.25 inches (14 x 21 cm.). Read More...
Original photograph of the great Hungarian-American cellist, shown playing and looking over his shoulder towards an unseen pianist. With press caption on the verso. Photographed by Phil Slattery for the Denver Post, dated September 10, 1965. Irregularly trimmed with one pencil note in the margin, a few light surface creases, otherwise in fine condition. 7.5 x 10 inches (19.2 x 25.3 cm).
Signed photograph of the great cellist, who has signed "Janos Starker / 1962" in blue pen, with handwritten blurb to verso written by Mrs. Austin J. Roberts, member of the Community Concert Association in Walla Walla, Washington, which reads "Janos Starker, one of the world's fastest rising cellists, will be soloist with the orchestra on Tuesday, March 6." Signed photographs of Starker from this period are very uncommon. Surface creases to upper left margin, else fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).
Signed photograph of long-running piano duo Stecher and Horowitz. Horowitz has inscribed, "To Cozette and Austin Roberts, / with sincere good wishes- Norman Horowitz," and Stecher has added his name. Fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Stecher and Horowitz formed their duo as teenagers in 1951, and, rather remarkably, they continue to perform together today.
Six programs, including one boldly signed in crayon by the great violinist, for a 1956 concert presented by the Community Concert Association of Walla Walla, Washington. Program included performances of Sonata in G Major. Op. 78, No. 1 by Brahms, Concerto in G minor. Op. 26, No. 1 by Bruch, Sonata in F minor. Op. 80 by Prokofiev (listed as "Prokofieff"), and concluding with three shorter pieces: Kreisler's arrangement of a Rondo by Mozart, La Fontaine d'Arethuse by Szymanowski, and Wieniawski's Polonaise Brilliante in D major. Fine. 6.25 x 9.5 inches (15.9 x 24.1 cm.). Together with Typed Letter Signed written by Larry Helmer, Assistant Manager of the National Artists Corporation, written to Mrs. Austin Roberts, a member of the Community Concert Association, regarding the confirmation of the approaching concert engagement. April 9, 1956; 1 pp on A4 National Artists Corporation stationary. Fine.
An interesting grouping of items from the blind composer and pianist of Welsh origin, known for his performances of music in the Jazz and Classical traditions. Included here are two concert programs, an autographed photo, and the envelope in which the photograph and one of the programs were evidently sent. The signed photograph, an unusual shot of Templeton crouched on the ground and sorting through a shelf of LPs, is mounted to a concert program for his piano recital at Alumni Memorial Auditorium in Knoxville, TN, on Tuesday, March 13, 1945. A few handwritten annotations appear on the program, noting an encore and that "Artist + audience" began the evening with a performance of The Star Spangled Banner. Also mounted on the program are two ticket stubs. Program creased, else fine; photograph still attached to lower edge, else fine. Program is 6.4 x 9.5 inches (16.2 x 24.1 cm), photograph is 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9 cm) Read More...
Signed photograph of the Italian string trio, featuring cellist Sante Amadori, violinist Giannino Carpi, and pianist Nunzio Montanari, together with concert program for a performance in the Seattle area during the 1958–59 season. Program includes Trio in C Major. Op. 87 by Brahms, Trio in B flat Major. K. 254 by Mozart, and Trio. Op. 67 by Shostakovitch. Photograph in fine condition, 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Program in fine condition, 6.25 x 9.5 inches (15.9 x 24.1 cm.). Read More...
98.
[Instrumentalists]
[Violin Crime]. Violin Crime Scene - Original Photograph
Curious ca. 1950s photograph of an officer from the Traffic Division of the Wood County, Wisconsin Sheriff's Department examining a violin on a bed, next to a harmonica, zither and accordion. Verso blank. Fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
99.
[Conductors]
Beecham, Thomas. (1879–1961). Signed Photograph to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic
Signed doubleweight bust photograph of the English conductor, who has inscribed to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic, "To Mr. Edward Hochner / Sincerely / Thomas Beecham." Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Paris: [By the Author]. 1955. First. Self-published facsimile score inscribed on the front cover to the important French conductor (translated from the French), "To my dear grand master / Pierre Monteux / with all my gratitude at having been played by him when I was ignored. / Sincerely and affectionately / Marius Casadesus / 10 June 1955." Upright folio. 44 pp. Light toning to cover, else fine. 11 x 15 inches (27.9 x 38.1 cm.). Read More...